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Betamethasone is a steroid medication. It is used for a number of diseases including rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, skin diseases such as dermatitis and psoriasis, allergic conditions such as asthma and angioedema, preterm labor to speed the development of the baby's lungs, Crohn's disease, cancers such as leukemia, and along with fludrocortisone for adrenocortical insufficiency, among others.
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Serious side effects include an increased risk of infection, muscle weakness, severe allergic reactions, and psychosis.
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Betamethasone was patented in 1958, and approved for medical use in the United States in 1961. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication.
Medical uses
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Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is available as a pill, by injection, and as an ointment, cream, lotion, gel, or aerosol (spray) for the skin, and a foam for the scalp. When given by injection, anti-inflammatory effects begin in around two hours and last for seven days.
Betamethasone is also used to stimulate fetal maturation of the lungs and cerebral blood vessels. and often averts the need for circumcision. Longer-term research is needed on this treatment method.
Side effects
- Euphoria
Betamethasone crosses the placenta.
Pharmacology
Forms
Betamethasone is available in a number of compound forms: betamethasone dipropionate (branded as Diprosone, Diprolene, Celestamine, Procort (in Pakistan), and others), betamethasone sodium phosphate (branded as Bentelan in Italy) and betamethasone valerate (branded as Audavate, Betnovate, Celestone, Fucibet, and others). In the United States and Canada, betamethasone is mixed with clotrimazole and sold as Lotrisone and Lotriderm. It is also available in combination with salicylic acid (branded as Diprosalic) for using in psoriatic skin conditions. In some countries, it is also sold mixed with both clotrimazole and gentamicin to add an antibacterial agent to the mix.
Betamethasone sodium phosphate mixed with betamethasone acetate is available in the United States as Celestone Soluspan.
See also
- Betamethasone/dexchlorpheniramine